INTERNATIONAL

AYURVEDIC MEDICAL
JOURNAL

International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, (ISSN: 2320 5091) (July, 2017) 5(7)

EFFECT OF NUMBER OF PUTA ON PARTICLE SIZE OF VANG BHASMA

Amit Bhatt1, Nisha Bajaj2, C. P. Kashyap3

1
MD Scholar, 2MD Scholar, 3Reader and Head
P.G. Department of Ras Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana
Rajiv Gandhi Govt. P.G. Ayurvedic College, Paprola, Distt. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Email: dr.amit98390@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Vang Bhasma is an important one amongst the metallic Bhasma. It is widely used by clinicians in
Prameha, Medoroga, Shukra Vikara and many other ailments. Mainly Gaja Puta, Ardhagaja Pu-
ta and Laghu Puta have been described for Marana of Vang using a variety of levigation media. The
number of Puta to be given also varies in relation to type of Puta and levigation media to be used. In
this study, three samples S1, S2 and S3 of Vang Bhasma were prepared by using Aloevera pulp as le-
vigation media at 600-8000C temperature using Electric Muffle Furnace. They were given 10, 15 and
20 Puta respectively. All the three samples were analyzed at a Govt. approved laboratory by HELOS
Particle Size Analyzer. The Volumetric Mean Diameter of the three samples S1, S2 and S3 was
found to be 7.63 m, 6.07 m and 4.86 m respectively. It was found that number of Puta given to
Vang Bhasma directly affects on its particle size. More number of Puta results in finer Bhasma. So,
20 Puta is more convenient for Marana in reference to particle size of Vang Bhasma.

Keywords: Bhasma, Puta, Marana, Particle size, Volumetric Mean Diameter

INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda is the science made up of Ayush
(life) and Veda (knowledge) i.e. knowledge of
life1. It is believed that Ayurveda had its origin
in Atharvaveda which consists of many
hymns, narrating information on various sub-
jects including human health, engineering and
astrology2. An Ayurvedic system adopts a ho-
listic approach towards health care by balanc-
ing the physical, mental and spiritual functions
of the human body. Rasa Shastra (Vedic alc-
hemy) is a branch of Ayurveda, which deals
with herbo-mineral/metalic/non-metalic prepa-
rations called Bhasma3. Rasayana (Immuno-
modulation and Anti-aging quality) and Yoga-
vahi (ability to target drugs to the site) are cha-
racteristics of a properly made herbo-
 Amit Bhatt Et Al: Effect Of Number Of Puta On Particle Size Of Vang Bhasma
mineral/metalic/non-metalic preparation,
which is also non-toxic, gently absorbable,
adaptable and digestible in the body4. Concept
of reduction of particle size of metals is pre-
vailing since Charak Samhita (1500 BC) for a
metallic preparation i.e. Lauhadi Rasayan. For
purification, a mineral/metal is heated upto
when it becomes red hot and quenched in
some liquid media immediately until flakes of
metal become fine powder5. It is then treated
with herbal juices or decoction and exposed
for certain quantum of heat as per Puta to
make its Bhasma.
Aims and Objectives
To observe the effect of number of Puta on the
particle size of Vang Bhasma
Materials
The raw material Vang (Tin) was procured
from Govt. approved laboratory. Other herbs
like Aloevera, Apamarga and materials used
during Shodhana (Purification) were procured
from Govt. Herbal Garden. The samples of
these materials were authenticated and identi-
fied from accredited institutes.
Methods
Preparation of Vang Bhasma
Preparation of Vang Bhasma involves three
stages:
1. Samanya Shodhana6: For Samanya Shod-
hana, the raw material was subjected to
heat treatment in different treating liquids.
This procedure is called Dhalana (Quench-
ing). In this, the raw material was heated
upto its melting point and poured in suffi-
cient quantity of treating liquid. The solid
particles formed were recovered by filtra-
IAMJ: JULY, 2017
tion while the spent liquid was rejected.
This procedure was repeated seven times
by using fresh treating liquids each time.
The treating liquids used were Til (Sesa-
mum indicum L.) oil, Takra (butter milk),
Go-mutra (cow urine), Kanji (rice gruel)
and decoction of Kulattha (Dolichos biflo-
rus L.).
2. Vishesha Shodhana7: The solid material
obtained after Samanya Shodhana was sub-
jected to Special purification by similar
heat treatment in Churnodaka (lime water)
for seven times.
3. Jarana8: The solid material obtained after
Vishesha Shodhana was subjected to Jara-
na process, in which it was heated in an
iron pan along with the addition of Apa-
marga (Achyranthes aspera Linn). Conti-
nuous stirring of this mixture was done us-
ing iron spatula for about three hours. After
that, it was heated upto 4000 C for about 4-
6 hours followed by cooling, which facili-
tates solidification.
4. Marana9: The material obtained after Ja-
rana stage is expected to be soft enabling
mixing by levigation with Aloevera juice.
A paste was obtained after levigation with
Aloevera, which was then made into thin
flat discs called Chakrikas. These were
dried under sunlight and taken in an earthen
bowl, covered with another earthen bowl
with interface between them sealed with a
clay-smeared cloth. This arrangement is re-
ferred to as Sarava samputa in Ayurveda.
Putapaka (calcination) was carried out in
Electric Muffle Furnace by placing Sarava
samputa into it. It was heated at tempera-
ture ranging from 6000 C to 8000 C for 1
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 Amit Bhatt Et Al: Effect Of Number Of Puta On Particle Size Of Vang Bhasma

hour10. Then it was allowed to self cooling. In this way, 3 different samples of Vang
The material was recovered by breaking Bhasma were prepared by using 10, 15 and 20
Sarava samputa. The temperature profile Puta respectively.
during Puta was monitored using a K-type
thermocouple connected to a digital tem-
perature indicator.
Flow Chart of Preparation of Vang Bhasma

Raw material (Tin)

Seven-stage heat treatment with sesame oil

Seven-stage heat treatment with Takra

Seven -stage heat treatment with Go-mutra

Seven-stage heat treatment with Kanji

Seven-stage heat treatment with Kulattha kwath

Purified Tin after normal purification

Seven-stage heat treatment with Churnodaka

Purified Tin after special purification

Jarana of Purified Tin with Apamarga

Levigation of Jarit Tin with Aloevera Pulp

Putapaka in EMF at 600-8000C temprature

Vang Bhasma

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 Amit Bhatt Et Al: Effect Of Number Of Puta On Particle Size Of Vang Bhasma

Characterization of Bhasma11 HELOS (H1004) & SUCELL Particle Size

Description, Colour, Odour, Identification
(chemical), Particle size or mesh size, Loss on
drying at 1050C, Total ash, Acid insoluble ash,
Water soluble ash, Assay of element, Ayurved-
ic specifications, Lustreless (Nishchandrica),
Fine enough to enter the crevices of finger
(Rekha purnatva), Floats on water (Varitara),
Smokeless (Nirdhoom), Tasteless (Niswadu)
and Irreversible (Apunarbhav).
Particle Size Analysis of Vang Bhasma
The particle size analysis of Vang Bhasma was
done at a Govt. approved laboratory using
Analyzer (Sympatec Gmbh, Germany).
Observations and Results
The observations and results of Vang Shodha-
na (Table- 1), Jarana of Shuddha Vang and
Marana of Jarit Vang (Table- 2) for all the
three samples were documented. Maximum
temperature given to all the three samples of
Vang Bhasma was also recorded and is shown
in Tables- 3. Result of particle size analysis
for all the three samples is shown in Tables- 4.

Table 1: Observations during Shodhana of Vang

Sample S1 Sample S2 Sample S3
Media for Shod- Weight before Weight after Weight before Weight after Weight before Weight after
hana Shodhana Shodhana Shodhana Shodhana Shodhana Shodhana
Til oil 588 g 583 g 400 g 395 g 380 g 374 g
Takra 583 g 576 g 395 g 389 g 374 g 366 g
Go-mutra 576 g 570 g 389 g 384 g 366 g 351 g
Kanji 570 g 564 g 384 g 379 g 351 g 345 g
Kulattha kwatha 564 g 548 g 379 g 370 g 345 g 336 g
Churnodaka 548 g 534 g 370 g 364 g 336 g 328 g

Table 2: Observations during Jarana and Marana of Vang

Sample S1 Sample S2 Sample S3
Name of process Weight before Weight after Weight be- Weight after Weight be- Weight after
process process fore process process fore process process
Jarana 534 g 575 g 364 g 404 g 328 g 360 g
Marana 575 g 538 g 404g 371 g 360 g 326 g

Table 3: Maximum temperature given to Vang Bhasma during Puta

No. of Puta Maximum temperature given during Puta
Sample- S1 Sample- S2 Sample- S3
1st 600 0C 600 0C 600 0C
2nd 0
600 C 600 0C 600 0C
3rd 600 0C 600 0C 600 0C
4th 0
700 C 600 0C 600 0C
5th 700 0C 600 0C 600 0C

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 Amit Bhatt Et Al: Effect Of Number Of Puta On Particle Size Of Vang Bhasma

6th 700 0C 700 0C 600 0C

7th 800 0C 700 0C 600 0C
8th 800 0C 700 0C 700 0C
9th 800 0C 700 0C 700 0C
10th 800 0C 700 0C 700 0C
11th - 800 0C 700 0C
12th - 800 0C 800 0C
13th - 800 0C 800 0C
14th - 800 0C 800 0C
15th - 800 0C 800 0C
16th - - 800 0C
17th - - 800 0C
18th - - 800 0C
19th - - 800 0C
20th - - 800 0C

Table 4: Particle Size of Vang Bhasma

Parameter Particle Size
Sample S1 Sample S2 Sample S3
X10 1.45 m 0.75 m 1.21 m
X16 2.02 m 0.90 m 1.64 m
X50 5.46 m 2.60 m 4.07 m
X84 12.94 m 11.03 m 8.18 m
X90 16.39 m 16.41 m 9.71 m
X99 35.12 m 41.18 m 15.41 m
SMD 4.26 m 1.85 m 3.94 m
VMD 7.63 m 6.07 m 4.86 m

DISCUSSION the solid, these interactions are promoted

The purified Vang (Tin) obtained after Sa-
manya and Vishesh shodhana was subjected to
Jarana process using Apamarga. Then it was
levigated with fresh Aloevera pulp for about 8
hours. Aloevera contains useful compounds
like polymannans, anthraquinones and lectins.
Anthraquinones are well-known metal-
chelators capable of coordinating with nickel,
cobalt, tin etc. The tirturation of Jarit Vang in
Aloevera juice results in the reduction in its
particle size, accompanied by an increase in
surface area. Since most of the solid-fluid inte-
ractions take place at the external surface of
through increase in surface area by the pres-
ence of particles of smaller sizes. Increased
number of Puta also leads to increase in the
property and potency of Bhasma. It reaches to
higher molecular level and shows quicker ac-
tion on the body12.
CONCLUSION
The temperature pattern observed over differ-
ent Puta cycles indicate a consistent pattern,
of certain degree of heating and cooling, es-
sential for the formation of particles of well-
defined morphology and crystallinity, which

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 Amit Bhatt Et Al: Effect Of Number Of Puta On Particle Size Of Vang Bhasma
were confirmed through scanning electron mi-
croscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Significant
increase in surface area as a result of Puta
confirmed the essentiality of Puta step for ad-
ministering metallic supplements in bio-
compatible form. The particle size of Vanga
Bhasma was found to be decreasing while in-
creasing the number of Puta. It denotes that
more the number of Puta results in finer
Bhasma. Thus, 20 Puta is more convenient to
form superior Bhasma of Vang in reference to
Particle Size.
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Source of Support: Nil
Conflict Of Interest: None Declared
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